Back in the mid 2000's I lapsed into about a three year drinking binge.  I drank every night, and a lot.  I could polish off 750 ML bottle of vodka easily.  I've been public about this era of my life and how I quit cold turkey on Super Bowl Sunday 2008.  Back in the day, I would bar hop with friends and we would hit a couple to three places per night.  Al most entirely Dive Bars.   The greatest example of a Dive Bar in town would have been Joey's.  Somewhat of a neighborhood bar.with a tavern feel that became super popular, just because the right mix people would show up.  Professionals mixing with tattooed. white trash like myself.  Course Joeys is no longer, but I asked on my Facebook Page, "What's Your Favorite Dive Bar".  Keep in mind that we're not talking nightclub, but bar - tavern type establishment.   Here's the Top five you came up with.

***Rick's 718. Rick bought the nasty old neighborhood bar on Columbia right around the time Joey;s was closing and he captured a lot of that crowd.

***The Stockwell Inn. A cool hangout that also has really good food.  It's on Stockwell near Morgan

***TJ's Stockyard Inn.  It's at 217 Baker near where the Stockyards used to be.  Yep Cattle country.  TJ is the lead singer of the crowd, and while his place is small, there's usually Karaoke or live music happening.

***Fred's.  Located on Virginia as you head west towards Deaconess, I remeber going to Fred's for lunch when I was in high school. (Open Campus bak in those days). Very chill atmosphere and some of the best burgers an fried delights you'll find.

***The Peephole.  It's been a downtown fixture forever it seems.  At 2nd and Main, it's a good lunch time destination for working folk, and after hours great drinks and cool clientele.

Those are the top five Dive Bars. These get honorable mention.  Sidetrack Tavern, Legend's Lounge at River City Recreation, St,Phillips Inn, Hagedorn's, Hornville Tavern, The Corner Bar, Leroy's, 711 Tavern, Doc's, Ford's Bar, Bob's Lounge and Rick's Sports Bar were also commonly mentioned.   Thanks for chiming in!  And RIP Joey's, The Duck Inn and other that have faded into the sunset

 

More From WGBF-FM